Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 83 of 345 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 66 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 55 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 54 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
36 crash reports10 fire reports23 injury reports
What owners actually said
345 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 1998
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicVisibilityCrash
CONSUMER MADE A RIGHT TURN AND THE ENGINE STOPPED. AFTER SWITCHING BACK AND FORTH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO START SLOWLY. ONCE STARTED, THE VEHCILE MERGED FORWARD AND BEGAN TO JERK BACK AND FORTH. CONSUMER PROCEEDED, SHE WAS DRIVING APPROX. 10-15MPH WHEN SHE BEGAN TO BRAKE FOR A VEHICLE AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE WERE N…
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CONSUMER MADE A RIGHT TURN AND THE ENGINE STOPPED. AFTER SWITCHING BACK AND FORTH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO START SLOWLY. ONCE STARTED, THE VEHCILE MERGED FORWARD AND BEGAN TO JERK BACK AND FORTH. CONSUMER PROCEEDED, SHE WAS DRIVING APPROX. 10-15MPH WHEN SHE BEGAN TO BRAKE FOR A VEHICLE AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE WERE NO BRAKES TO APPLY. CONSUMER HIT VEHICLE AT 15MPH. APPROXIMATELY 20-25 MINUTES LATER, BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE WHINSHIELD SHATTERED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #831505
Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 1998
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineFire
THE CAVALIER WAS DRIVEN TO WORK BY MY DAUGHTER ON 11-09-98. SHE PARKED THE CAR AND LOCKED IT AND WENT TO WORK AT THE AFTER SCHOOL DAY CARE FOR THE YMCA. ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER, A PARENT ENTERED AND ASKED WHO OWNED THE CAVALIER BECAUSE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM IT'S ENGINE. BY THE TIME MY DAUGHTER RAN OUTSIDE THE CAR HAD BURST INTO…
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THE CAVALIER WAS DRIVEN TO WORK BY MY DAUGHTER ON 11-09-98. SHE PARKED THE CAR AND LOCKED IT AND WENT TO WORK AT THE AFTER SCHOOL DAY CARE FOR THE YMCA. ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER, A PARENT ENTERED AND ASKED WHO OWNED THE CAVALIER BECAUSE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM IT'S ENGINE. BY THE TIME MY DAUGHTER RAN OUTSIDE THE CAR HAD BURST INTO FLAMES. THE SCHOOL CUSTODIANS TRIED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHERS BUT THEY WERE ONLY SUCCESSFUL IN PUTTING OUT THE FLAMES THAT RAN FROM MY CAR TO 2 OTHERS. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE DUE TO EITHER FAULTY ELECTRICAL OR GAS LINES. I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND THEY HAVE HAD THEIR INSPECTOR LOOK AT THE CAR ON 11-16-98. SINCE THE INSPECTOR LOOKED AT THE CAR, THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE JENNY YURENKA WILL NOT RETURN MY PHONE CALLS. A RECEPTIONIST INFORMED ME THAT IT WILL TAKE GM ANOTHER 14 DAYS TO DETERMINE WHAT TO DO WITH A CAR THAT BURSTS INTO FLAMES FOR NO APPARENT REASONS.
NHTSA ODI #700824
Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 1998
Air Bags
FALSE DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS CAUSED DAMAGE TO VEHICLE (UNDERCARRIAGE) WHEN CONSUMER HAD TO DRIVE OFF ROAD.
NHTSA ODI #542642
Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 1998
Suspension
VEHICLE WILL JERK FORWARD WHEN VEHICLE IS IN PARK POSITION, AND STARTED ENGINE. DEALER HAS DONE AN ALIGNMENT/REPLACED STEERING BOX. DEFECT IS STILL OCCURRING. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE DEFECT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #830298
Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 1998
Air Bags
THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING IN THE PIZZA HUT PARKING LOT, WAS DRIVING 00 MPH AND THE AIR BAG EXPLODED IN HER FACE. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONSUMER STATED THAT THE CAR WAS A RENTAL CAR FROM ALMO RENTAL CENTER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #830265
Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 1998
Air BagsCrash
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER THREE TIMES, AND THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIRS BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #828766
Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
MANUAL TRANSMISSION FAILED.
NHTSA ODI #541613
Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE OWNED FOR 7 MONTHS. DOES NOT IDLE SMOOTHLY AND SKIPS. DOES NOT SHIFT EASILY.
NHTSA ODI #541547
Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 1998
Air BagsCrashInjury
LOW SPEED COLLISION AND FALSE DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO VEHICLE AND BURNS TO ARMS AND FACE.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START AND THE DRIVER HOLDS THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED. THE FIRE COULD SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, WHICH COULD INJURE OCCUPANTS OR CAUSE DAMAGE TO ADJOINING STRUCTURES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND CHECK THAT YOUR CAR WILL START WITH A PROPERLY CHARGED BATTERY AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN ON MARCH 1, 2004. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CHECK THEIR VEHICLE ONLINE BY GOING TO WWW.MYGMLINK.COM AND ENTERING THE VEHICLE'S IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE AND SOME OTHER RETAINERS USED IN VEHICLES ASSEMBLED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH BI-FUEL COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) VEHICLES. THE CNG FUEL LINE AND THE CNG HIGH PRESSURE REGULATOR COOLANT LINES CAN CONTACT OTHER FUEL (GASOLINE) AND BRAKE LINES ON THE VEHICLE. ABRASION FROM CONTACT CAN CAUSE A LEAK IN THE BRAKE PIPE, FUEL PIPE, OR BOTH.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: ABRASION FROM CONTACT CAN CAUSE A LEAK IN THE BRAKE PIPE, FUEL PIPE, OR BOTH. A BRAKE FLUID LEAK COULD DISABLE A PORTION OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM, CAUSING LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES. GASOLINE LEAKING FROM A FUEL PIPE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPOSITION THE CNG FUEL AND COOLANT PIPES AND REPOSITION/REPAIR ANY DAMAGED FUEL OR BRAKE PIPES AS NECESSARY.
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